Dr. Ronald Ervin McNair

Ronald E. McNair, the second African-American to fly in space, was born October 12, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. Ronald McNair was inspired by a science teacher who recognized his potential and believed in him. He graduated valedictorian from Carver High School in 1967. In 1971, he received his bachelor's degree magna cum laude in physics from North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro). Five years later, in 1976, he earned a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. McNair was nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics and was selected for the NASA space program in 1978. Dr. McNair's life ended tragically on January 28, 1986, when the Challenger space shuttle exploded and plunged into the ocean, also claiming the lives of six other astronauts.

The McNair Scholars Program is dedicated to preserving his legacy of scholarship and achievement.